What: Gateway to Gold Performance Event - Cross Country Skiing

Who: Individuals with physical and visual disabilities, their families friends, teachers, medical providers and all interested community members

When: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost: Free

Description:Challenge Alaska, in conjunction with U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, is hosting a Gateway to Gold Experience event on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the Selkregg Chalet in Russian Jack Springs Park. The event will introduce individuals with physical and visual impairments, including youth, adults and military veterans, to the sports of Paralympic cross country skiing and biathlon.

The Gateway to Gold Performance day is provided for athletes and coaches pursuing advanced skill development, connections to coaching resources and competitions in the Paralympic Sport of cross-country skiing. The day will provide athletes and coaches the tools needed for athlete development of Paralympic eligible athletes by a U.S. Paralympic Nordic program coach.

The event will begin inside the Chalet and move onto the snow. Please be prepared for a short indoor session before moving outdoors and becoming active.

The event schedule is being developed and will be posted soon.

Contact: Jeff Dick (907) 344-7270 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What: Gateway to Gold Experience - Downhill Skiing

Who: Individuals with physical and visual disabilities, their families friends, teachers, medical providers and all interested community members

When: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Cost: Free but must RSVP no later than noon March 7

Description:Challenge Alaska, in conjunction with U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, is hosting a Gateway to Gold Experience event on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Challenge Alaska Adaptive Ski & Snowboard School in Girdwood. The event will introduce individuals with physical and visual impairments, including youth, adults and military veterans, to the sports of Paralympic downhill skiing and snowboarding.

The Gateway to Gold Experience is the first step toward the podium for individuals with physical and visual impairments across the state of Alaska. Gateway to Gold participants will go through sport specific skills to determine if they are ready for the next level of opportunity in Paralympic sport.

This will also be an opportunity for those who are new, or even curious about downill skiing to come out and see the different types of ski equipment used to get people on the snow.

The event will begin inside the Chalet and move onto the snow. Please be prepared for a short indoor session before moving outdoors and becoming active.

The event schedule will be as follows:

9:30 - 9:45 am Registration

9:45 - 10:00 am Opening ceremonies

10:00 - 10:30 am Prepare to ski

10:30 - 12:30 pm Ski

12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch

1:30 - 3:30 pm Ski

3:30 - 4:00 pm Change out of ski attire

4:00 - 4:30 pm Closing ceremonies & awards

Contact: Jeff Dick (907) 344-7270 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gateway to Gold Experience - Week-long Adaptive Sports Youth Day Camp

This camp will take place in July 2017. More details for this camp will be released as soon as possible. Check back soon.

About Gateway to Gold Experience

As a part of the Gateway to Gold program, U.S. Paralympics and its community partners, including National Governing Bodies, Paralympic Sport Clubs and veteran organizations are hosting free introduction to sport and talent identification events across the country. The target population for the program is Paralympic-eligible (classifiable) athletes with a physical, visual or intellectual impairment. Events are open to individuals of all ages who have a Paralympic-eligible impairment, although some events may be invitation-only.

About Gateway to Gold Performance Events

The Gateway to Gold Performance Event differs from the Gateway to Gold Experience in that the emphasis is on an athletes performance and skills in a given Paralympic sport. Participants need not have experience in the sport of focus, but this is not an "introduction to the sport" clinic or event. Participants should come to the Event ready to challenge themselves to determine what their level of skill and ability is. Coaches and volunteers will conduct a series of skill tests designed to identify skill and talent and give each participant feedback. This information can be used to determine "next steps" to move forward in developing skills that will lead to competing in local events, and possibly leading to regional and national competition. The target population for the program is Paralympic-eligible (classifiable) athletes with a physical, visual or intellectual impairment. Events are open to individuals of all ages who have a Paralympic-eligible impairment, although some events may be invitation-only.